21 minute read
Commercial vehicle security cameras
TOP FIVE TIPS
FOR CHOOSING A VEHICLE CAMERASYSTEM SUPPLIER
If you’re a fleet operator, then vehicle safety will be top of the priority list. However, choosing a vehicle camera system supplier and ensuring your vehicles are equipped with the most appropriate devices that are correctly fitted and simple to use can be a time-consuming and difficult process.
Here, Emily Hardy, a vehicle safety expert at Brigade Electronics, provides top five tips for choosing a vehicle camera system supplier.
1. ENSURE THE SUPPLIER CAN
MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS
WITH THE CORRECT PRODUCTS
Vehicle safety devices vary from vehicle to vehicle and industry to industry. Suitability is key to maintaining safety and both the vehicle type and the business sector you operate in will determine which products you will need and how they should be fitted. Road going vehicles, such as HGVs, buses, refuse trucks and vans, will need devices that work to safeguard vulnerable road users in built-up areas and prevent collisions with people and objects. A 360-degree camera system eliminates blind spots by providing a bird’s-eye view of the vehicle and the surrounding area in real time, which is fed back to the driver via an in-cab monitor. Before researching a vehicle camera system supplier, set your criteria by making a list of your requirements. This will help you to establish if the provider will be able to meet your needs and budget. Always speak to a potential supplier as this will help you to gauge their knowledge and expertise about your industry, including relevant regulations and safety requirements, as well as their professionalism.
2. MAKE SURE THE COMPANY
UNDERSTANDS THE RULES AND
REGULATIONS RELATING TO YOUR
INDUSTRY
Commercial vehicle legislations, regulations and certifications heavily influence the automotive industry at all levels. Whether it’s to comply with road legislation, such as DVS, or for an industry accreditation like FORS, a good supplier will have a thorough understanding and awareness of the current rules, regulations and product certifications required for all necessary compliance. They should be able to confidently guide you through any uncertainties you might have about regulations in your sector as well as assist you with finding the correct products for a variety of criteria.
3. FIND OUT WHAT OTHER
CUSTOMERS HAVE TO SAY
Customer reviews, testimonials and case studies are always an excellent indication of whether a vehicle safety system supplier and their products are reliable and professional. Ask to see recent reviews and, if possible, speak to existing or recent customers to find out about their experience of the company and its products.
4. CHECK OUT THE WARRANTY PERIODS AND INDUSTRY STANDARDS ON PRODUCTS
If your industry requires a particular standard of device, ensure the products you are investing in meet these requirements. A supplier should be able to supply you with all the relevant information about which standards each product meets and what testing it has been through before being released for distribution.
5. RESEARCH THE COMPANY’S
AFTERSALES SUPPORT SERVICE
Suppliers that are confident in their products will be happy to support you with any questions or problems you may experience after the products are fitted. Find out about how quickly and easily you can get hold of someone in the event you need help and what other resources the supplier provides if you need assistance outside regular working hours. A good supplier should display this information clearly on their website, brochures and contact details and always be pleased to ensure any issues are fixed without delay.
Operators Urged to Fit Safety Devices Following Shocking Findings from the HSA
Brigade Electronics is urging operators to improve safety practices following the shocking findings of a recent report by Ireland’s Health and Safety Authority (HSA) into work related deaths involving vehicles.
A review of work-related deaths over the past 10 years found that of the 490 reported, a disproportionate amount - 44%, involved vehicles. The Agricultural sector was attributed as being the highest contributor to the numbers, followed by Transportation and Storage, Construction and Wholesale and Retail Trade. According to the report, the most common type of fatal incident involved vehicles striking people on foot or on bicycles. A previous report from the HSA’s Transport and Storage sector also lists reversing and slow speed manoeuvres as one of the most associated causes of vehicle related deaths and injuries. Incidents which, Brigade Electronics say, could be prevented with the fitment of vehicles safety devices such as; camera monitor systems, sensors and reversing and warning alarms. Ireland based Vehicle Safety Specialist, Chris Ewing from Brigade said: “The size and weight of commercial vehicles and machinery often create deadly blind spots around a vehicle, which is where most incidents occur. “We recommend operators invest in a range of both passive and active systems. While passive systems, such as mirrors and cameras, assist drivers by enabling them to see objects in a vehicle’s blind spot, active systems, including sensor alerts and reversing alarms, ensure that both drivers and pedestrians receive an immediate, audible warning that a danger is present.” Over the past 10 years, the UK has seen the introduction of vehicle safety standards and legislations such as FORS (Freight Operator Recognition Scheme), CLOCS (Construction Logistics and Community Safety) and more recently London’s Direct Vision Standard, put in place to reduce the number of incidents involving vehicles, workers and vulnerable road users. All require the fitment of various safety systems including cameras, nearside sensors and reversing alarms to comply. Could a similar standard be a potential solution in reducing the number of vehicle related deaths in Ireland? Says Chris Ewing: “Our vision at Brigade is that no more lives should be lost in collisions with commercial vehicles and mobile machinery. We have been at the forefront of the vehicle safety market since 1976 when we introduced the first ever reversing alarm into the market and we continue to campaign for improved vehicle safety practices around the world. The Health and Safety Authority in Ireland has been championing Vehicle Safety in the Workplace for many years, a cause which we fully support.”
Sentinel Systems brings vehicle safety and operational benefits to Moove Lubricants
Vehicle safety specialists Sentinel Systems have supplied a high-spec HGV safety solution to lubricant distributor Moove Lubricants Ltd, resulting in significant operational benefits and Moove now being on track to achieve FORS Silver Membership.
Webfleet Solutions, one of the world’s leading telematics service providers and part of Bridgestone, has achieved ISO 14001:2015 certification.
As part of a plan to improve processes across the business, Moove were looking to update an older system in four of their vehicles to offer additional regulatory and operational benefits. Following a recommendation from an industry contact, Moove’s Transport Manager, Keiron Ellsley, approached Sentinel Systems for a solution. He said, “We chose Sentinel’s system as it offered all the features we were looking for at a very competitive price. The team at Sentinel were a pleasure to deal with and provided a solution which enabled us to view live camera feeds, track our vehicles’ locations, and access everything through one simple mobile app and desktop login.” Sentinel tailored a solution to Moove’s requirements, including an HD four-camera 360° view system, quad view monitor for installation in each vehicle’s cab, and the latest Sentry MDVR recorder with Live View package for real time remote monitoring. The installation process far exceeded Moove’s expectations, with Sentinel’s engineers fixing wiring from the old system as they retrofitted the vehicles. Each vehicle installation was completed to a high standard within a day, minimising disruption to Moove’s fleet operations. The system provided by Sentinel has resulted in a reduction in incidents, with greater visibility and safety for drivers. Moove’s whole team now have easy access to camera and tracking information in real time, enabling them to manage deliveries more efficiently and solve any delivery challenges much faster. As a result of Sentinel’s installation, Moove have not only ensured their DVS compliance, but are now also on track for FORS Silver Membership, demonstrating their dedication to operating a safe, high quality fleet. Keiron concluded: “Sentinel have provided us with an excellent system which has improved both the safety and efficiency of our delivery operation. Their service and support have been second to none and we were really impressed with how straightforward they made the whole process.”
Webfleet Solutions achieves ISO certification in drive for continual environmental improvement
The environmental
management standard, advanced by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), provides an international framework to help organisations minimise their impact on the environment and comply with environmental laws and regulations. “As part of Our Green Mission, we strive to build a more sustainable future for mobility by lowering our own carbon footprint and helping our customers reduce their carbon emissions,” said Jan-Maarten de Vries, CEO of Webfleet Solutions and Bridgestone Mobility Solutions. “We are continually looking at the entire lifecycle of our products and services and how it impacts the global environments in which they are used. The ISO 14001:2015 certification reflects our commitment to sustainability. It also validates the processes and best practices we implement to create more efficient and sustainable operations.” Recent initiatives from Webfleet Solutions include the launch of a scheme to significantly reduce the use of plastic in hardware packaging. As a result, the use of plastic collateral in specific packages has decreased by up to 96 percent. The company has also partnered with global NGO Justdiggit to offset carbon emissions from its supply chain and facilities by supporting replanting and reforestation projects in Africa. To date, through Justdiggit, Webfleet Solutions has invested in regreening an area of Tanzania four times larger than the centre of Amsterdam. This has resulted in 51,800 tonnes of CO2 being sequestrated by bringing back more than130,000 trees. With the recently launched Green Your Fleet platform, Webfleet Solutions also enables its customers to join the regreening programme. The platform allows customers to easily calculate an estimate of their annual CO2 emissions based on their fleet size and vehicle types. They can then choose to offset their emissions by supporting Justdiggit and make a real positive impact on climate, nature and people. “Ourfleet management solutions already help customers to reduce their impact on the environment,” added De Vries. “By monitoring fuel to improve fuel usage, for example, by analysing driving behaviour to promote greener driving styles and ensuring the most economical routes are being taken to reduce emissions. The Green Your Fleet platform gives the opportunity to go a step further and become part of Our Green Mission.”
Aquarius IT team out in force at CV Show
The Aquarius IT team will be back in person at this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show, and they’ll be showcasing the company’s full range of fleet compliance and Earned Recognition approved management solutions, including the new Asset Maintenance portal.
The show’s visitors will see how Aquarius IT’s ClockWatcher Elite software leads the way in technology innovation, and how during the pandemic too, it has been providing operators with a real solution for processing, managing, analysing and reporting on all aspects of driver and vehicle data. Mark Johnston, Aquarius IT’s Customer Service Director, says: “With ClockWatcher Elite, driver and vehicle data has never been more accessible or easy to manage. This is not only vital for compliance; it also helps a road transport operation to run efficiently – both financially and practically.” Developed from the ground-up by Aquarius’s in-house team of UK software specialists, ClockWatcher Elite enables operators, from one source, one dashboard, one log-in, to monitor and manage tachograph data, driver / vehicle defects, remote downloading, PODs, driver debriefs, employee’s time and attendance, plus lots more, including an electronic Document Management system. It also integrates with the company’s latest Asset Maintenance portal, which uses a range of smart and intuitive features to help operators manage company assets requiring periodic maintenance or inspection; from vehicles to plant equipment and machinery. ClockWatcher Elite’s integrated Tachograph Analysis software and Asset Maintenance portal have also both been accredited by the DVSA for the Earned Recognition Scheme, and in conjunction with the system’s Vehicle Defect Check App provides an all-encompassing digital solution for managing and reporting on KPIs related to vehicle maintenance / inspection and driver activity. By combining these technologies, the software also allows operators to uniquely drill deeper into this linked driver and vehicle information for even greater clarity. At the show, the team from Aquarius IT will also be sharing how ClockWatcher Elite has helped operators work digitally / remotely through the pandemic, and how this has positively shaped how they will operate in the future.
Mervyn O’Callaghan of CameraMatics Named High Potential Start-Up ‘Founder of the Year 2021’
Mervyn O’Callaghan, co-founder and CEO of CameraMatics, was named the Enterprise Ireland High-Potential Start-Up (HPSU) Founder of the Year for 2021 at a virtual awards event, sponsored by Grant Thornton.
CameraMatics provides cutting-edge,
award-winning SaaS technology for fleet and driver risk management. The company helps customers reduce accidents, improve operational efficiencies and manage compliance. Scaling fast, CameraMatics has close to 1,000 customers including global leading fleet operators. The Founder of the Year Awards acknowledge and celebrate the commitment that entrepreneurs and start-ups have made to build world-class companies of the future. There were 12 nominees for the 2021 award, all of whom were voted for by their peers who have been taking part in Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) Founders Forum over the last 24 months. Fionn Lahart of One Projects and John McCarthy of Taxamo were also acknowledged for their companies’ achievements to date and voted as runners-up. Enterprise Ireland and Select Strategies created the HPSU Founders Forum to give founders a platform where they can address issues, share challenges and seek support from each other and from founders who are further along in their entrepreneurial journey. Since its inception, over 300 founders have participated in the HPSU Founders Forum from a range of sectors including software, medical devices, food, engineering and construction. On accepting the Enterprise Ireland HPSU Founder of the Year Award 2021, Mervyn O’Callaghan, co-founder and CEO of CameraMatics said: “I’m very grateful to all my peers in the Founders Forum for nominating me for this award. I’d also like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to the entire team at CameraMatics – we couldn’t have come this far without your exceptional talent and continued dedication – and a special word of thanks to my co-founder and long-term business partner Simon Murray. “The guidance and support that we received from Enterprise Ireland, the Founders Forum and my peer founder participants over the last year or so has been invaluable in helping us to achieve our vision of improving driver and vehicle safety globally, particularly as we have navigated these uncertain times together.”
(L-R): Mervyn O’Callaghan, co-founder and CEO at CameraMatics, Kevin Foley, Partner - Audit and Assurance at Grant Thornton and Jenny Melia, Divisional Manager - High Potential Start-Ups at Enterprise Ireland.
MAXIMISING SAFETY & CUTTING INSURANCE COSTS WITH
Leading fleet operators are opting for the MANTIS Live vehicle CCTV system, supplied by Belfast based fleet technology experts Simplicity Group, and the reason? To help them maximise driver safety and mitigate insurance risks on non-fault accidents.
MANTIS is an intelligent reporting package, combining all the vital elements to successfully capture and utilise evidence footage, such as multiple cameras (1 to 16), an Evidence Centre, with built-in crash detection which automatically uploads footage to the cloud where it is stored for 90 days, and Email Alerts informing you of any serious road events. It also includes Alerts notifications about any recording failure so it can be resolved quickly before vital footage is missed, Live view of any camera in your fleet, Footage capture support and monitoring team , 4G true multinetwork SIM to guarantee the best network coverage available in the UK & 1GB aggregated data allowance. However, Simplicity Group is going one step further
RIVER RIDGE
River Ridge, Northern Ireland’s most innovative waste recovery operation with over 250 employees and 150 commercial vehicles, opted for the combined package. While River Ridge has some of the highest safety standards in the industry, all too often a large vehicle is blamed for an incident when not at fault; and the impact on insurance can be substantial. Their previous camera and telematics system was very basic, not integrated and outdated. “We needed a fully connected vehicle camera and telematics solution that was both robust and easy to use. Simplicity Group have achieved this plus integrated our route planning, tachograph, maintenance and fuel management - the result is a true fleet management solution supported by a local company,” say Riverridge. by merging the MANTIS camera system with WEBFLEET Solutions’ telematics vehicle tracking system. MANTIS seamlessly integrates into the WEBFLEET platform providing advanced telematics, remote tachograph management and analysis, fuel efficiency reporting and route planning.
HENDERSON WHOLESALE & FOOD SERVICE
Another major fleet operator who opted for MANTIS is Henderson Wholesale & Food Service. “What we needed was a reliable vehicle recording management system with high resolution quality which meets our specific functional requirements. By choosing the Simplicity Group’s solution we have found a product that we can relya on.” “The system has already surpassed our expectations and the return on investing is evident,” say Henderson Wholesale & Food Service.
DIRECT VISION STANDARD
An effective CCTV system has become even more vital with the introduction of the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and safety permit for heavy goods vehicles which requires operators of lorries over 12 tonnes gross vehicle weight to obtain a safety permit before entering and operating in most of Greater London, otherwise, you may receive a Penalty Charge Notice. The Direct Vision Standard measures how much an HGV driver can see directly through their cab windows. This indicates the level of risk to vulnerable road users, such as people walking and cycling, near the vehicle, which is why MANTIS has introduced the very latest in camera technology: the MANTIS ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System). Forming part of the MANTIS IQ Range, it includes a glass mounted Forward Facing 1080p Camera which uses the latest developments in Artificial Intelligence to detect Pedestrians and Cyclists and then alert the driver via the MANTIS Alert. By adding an external speaker, safety is maximised two fold by also alerting the pedestrian or cyclist that they are too close the vehicle. It also includes an Anti Distraction Monitor, a driver warning system that is based on vision technology to detect abnormal driving behaviour. It can help detect and alarm the Fleet Manager on the following conditions: fatigue, distraction, smoking and mobile phone use.
SUPPORT
Simplicity Group and MANTIS are dedicated to providing market leading support to their customers. Typical is the following comment: “They provide us with a reliable professional service that we can depend on. The team are extremely customer focused and always go above and beyond. Our relationship with Simplicity Group has continued to develop and we look forward to many more years of working together.”
LUCEY TRANSPORT
And added Lucey Transport: “By choosing MANTIS, we were able to keep track of our fleet at the touch of a button. It has proven its worth when it comes down to the crunch and we need footage fast. Evidence Centre has everything already caught and recorded for our viewing, so we can see what actually happened.” Other major fleets that have also gone for MANTIS and Webfleet include McBurney Transport, the Woodside Group, Surefreight and Encirc, formerly Quinn Glass. Not surprisingly MANTIS has rapidly become a leading camera solution for WEBFLEET Solutions which is owned by Bridgestone, giving operators the best of all worlds.
www.mantislive.com
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CAMERAS FOR YOUR FLEET
Choosing cameras and hardware for your fleet vehicles may feel like a minefield. Scores of vendors offer hundreds of options. With HGV fleet managers rating keeping up with technology as their biggest challenge, it’s no wonder the choice can feel overwhelming, writes Ciaran Murphy, Head of Sales (Ireland) for CameraMatics.
I’ve worked in and around vehicle cameras, fleet technologyand telematics forover a decade. I meet hundreds of HGV and Van fleet operators a year and pride myself on helping them make the besthardware choices. Here, I outline key benefits of installing cameras, and some considerations to help you make the right decision for your vehicles, your drivers - and your business. We often assume the main benefit of vehicle cameras is the evidence video footage provides in the event of an accident or incident. This benefit is significant, and the proof cameras provide exonerates drivers day in, day out. Indeed, many of our first customers came to us for cameras after a costly accident or false claim. But there are so many more reasons why cameras are now essential for commercial vehicles.
An invaluable training tool
Many customers use camera footage in driver training and development. On being alerted to instances of heavy-braking or erratic driving via their CameraMatics Dashboard they review the incidents with video footage from the CameraMatics system. When the footage highlights an unnecessary driving error, inattention or sub-par driving, the fleet manager can review the video with the driver and provide coaching and further training to avoid similar incidents in the future. Cameras create clarity and transparency, and indeed many of our customers report that drivers love the added protection cameras, including in-cab cameras, provide.
Improves driving & creates efficiencies
Before you even have an accident, vehicle cameras can save you time and money in crosscutting areas. Let’s take driving behaviour. In my experience, customers who fully integrate cameras into their everyday fleet operations and safety procedures (rather than simply having them on the vehicles and only reviewing footage after an accident) enjoy significant savings and achieve full ROI in just a few months. It’s very simple: knowing your journey is being recorded leads to more careful, less erratic driving. Better, more mindful driving leads to a whole range of benefits and savings. Better driving causes less wear and tear on vehiclesand fewer accidents; across a fleet this adds up to considerable efficiency savings. Cutting harsh-braking, incidences of speeding and idling time all save fuel. Our customer, McCulla Ireland, calculate annual savings of £200,000 thanks to the improvement CameraMatics gives to driver scores, fuel and efficiency.
Cameras save lives
We all know that large vehicles have large blind-spots. Blind spots put other road users, particularly pedestrians and cyclists, at risk. Class V and VI close-proximity mirrors help, but drivers are still unable to see large parts of the area surrounding their vehicle. There’s a reason mandatory and voluntary safety and compliance schemes such as the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) mandate some vehicle camera equipment, such as a blind spot cameras and in-cab monitors. Adding an appropriate configuration of side, blind-spot, forward and rear cameras to a vehicle gives drivers extra pairs of eyes and ears. Overwhelmingly our customers report their drivers love the cameras. Combined with
sensors, left turn alerts and other technology, cameras are quite literally lifesaving. Three considerations when choosing vehicle cameras:
1. ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL
An off-the-shelf plug and play camera might be an attractive proposition but remember if you are going to rely on technology you need to ensure it works for you. Consider your fleet make up and how many cameras you need for full coverage. Think about video quality; a dashcam generally won’t cut the mustard. At CameraMatics we work with each customer to establish their needs and configure the best set-up within budget. Consider practicalities such as how you’ll access footage, how much storage you need and what happens when there’s a technical error.Our customers will tell you that two of the phenomenally useful features we offer are remote download of footage and live hardware status.
2. GET CONNECTED
For real value go beyond the cameras and embrace a connected future. The magic really happens when camera footage is integrated with telematics data, GPS tracking, Fleet Safety Modules and ADAS collision avoidance technologies. CameraMatics customers benefit from a complete end-to-end solution for Fleet and Driver Risk Management. Video and Telematics plays an important part but the ability to understand, predict and mitigate risk is what makes CameraMatics stand out from the crowd. Everything is in one place, easy to manage and accessible from anywhere.
3. CHOOSE WITH THE FUTURE IN MIND
With the explosion of technologies and the ever-expanding Internet of Things, fleets will increasingly rely on vehicle technology. It’s smart to invest in a solution that can grow with you and meet your needs long term. A modular and highly configurable system like CameraMatics will keep your fleet safe for years. It’s easy to add extra cameras and vehicles,
How can I help?
I’d welcome the opportunity to assistyou with your vehicle camera and fleet technology needs. For a free consultation give me a call directly on+44 (0)7887 499688 or via the office on +44 (0)20 3470 3562 or +353 (0)1 963 1380, email sales@cameramatics.com or enquire via www.cameramatics.com
